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[-] PugJesus@piefed.social 4 points 6 months ago

If you choose the broader definition, then al-Qarawiyyin clearly qualifies very early. If you choose the narrower juridical definition, then historians debate whether the madrasa structure fits that category prior to modern reforms.

In short, it’s not a university. And that’s okay. Trying to pigeonhole it into that definition is the issue.

"If it's the broader definition, it's a university. If it's the narrow definition, it's debatable. In short, it's not a university."

You legitimately don't see it, do you.

[-] Aknifeguy@piefed.ca -1 points 6 months ago

No you don't see it. It's not a university. And if we open up the definition then you're still wrong because Chinese institutions like the Guozijian and Yuelu Academy are older in origins and represent sophisticated, long-running centers of advanced learning.

[-] PugJesus@piefed.social 2 points 6 months ago

No you don’t see it. It’s not a university. And if we open up the definition

Of the two definitions you gave in that comment for a university, one you admitted al-Qarawiyyin clearly was a university under; and the other you concede that it is debatable.

then you’re still wrong because Chinese institutions like the Guozijian and Yuelu Academy are older in origins and represent sophisticated, long-running centers of advanced learning.

You didn't say "It's not the oldest university", you said

In short, it’s not a university.

[-] Aknifeguy@piefed.ca -1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

You didn’t say “It’s not the oldest university”.
That's right. The post you posted said that. But it's not even a university until 1963. If you broaden the definition the post is still wrong because Chinese institutions would be the oldest.

[-] PugJesus@piefed.social 2 points 6 months ago

But it’s not even a university until 1963.

...

[-] Aknifeguy@piefed.ca -1 points 6 months ago

Your inability to accept that is the issue. If it was a university before, why would it reform to become classified as one if it already was one? That's right, it wouldn't need to because it would have been considered one already.

[-] PugJesus@piefed.social 2 points 6 months ago

Your inability to accept that is the issue. If it was a university before, why would it reform to become classified as one if it already was one? That’s right, it wouldn’t need to because it would have been considered one already.

...

this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2026
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